Israeli Attack Targets Lattakia International Airport and Hmeimim Military Base
October 3, 2024, 12:31 pm

Israeli Attack Targets Lattakia International Airport and Hmeimim Military Base

قاعدة حميميم \ تعبيرية \ متداول

On Thursday morning, Lattakia International Airport and the Russian Hmeimim military base were struck by an Israeli attack that resulted in the outbreak of a fire and the destruction of an arms and ammunition warehouse within the airport, shortly after the arrival of an Iranian aircraft. This marks the first bombing of Lattakia Airport since Israel began its airstrikes on Syria.

According to exclusive sources for "Syrian Television," Israeli airstrikes targeted the Russian Hmeimim base in the Lattakia countryside as well as other military sites along the Syrian coast, occurring just hours after an Iranian aircraft from "Qeshm Fars Air" landed.

The sources added that the Israeli bombardment did not hit the runways or towers at the Hmeimim base or the civilian terminal of Lattakia Airport.

It is important to note that Hmeimim Base is part of Lattakia International Airport, as both share the same runways, while the airport's security is under the responsibility of the Russian forces. According to specific sources from Syrian Television, the attack was executed via air and naval forces, targeting the airport with several missiles, two of which successfully hit the targeted warehouse. The remaining Israeli missiles were intercepted by Russian and regime air defense systems.

The sources further indicated that the Israeli bombardment also targeted other military locations in Lattakia province, coinciding with the strike on the warehouse inside the Hmeimim base and Lattakia Airport, with the shelling commencing at 3:55 AM and concluding at 4:41 AM.

Following the attack, which lasted for more than half an hour, the Russian Air Force command at Hmeimim issued orders for a patrol consisting of two Su-27 aircraft to be deployed along the Syrian coast and territorial waters.

Footage and images shared on social media depicted powerful explosions and fires erupting at various sites, while local sources reported that one of the missiles hit an ammunition depot within the city of Jableh, causing it to explode.

A source working at Lattakia Airport revealed that the airport's firefighting teams and those from the Russian forces were unable to reach the warehouse during the first hour after it was targeted due to the intensity of the explosions and the chaotic scattering of missiles in the vicinity.

Economic Shocks and the Erosion of the Middle Class in Iran Israeli Attack Strikes Lattakia International Airport and Hmeimim Military Base

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.